22/10/2001
McGuinness under fire to end 11-plus
The Stormont Education minister Martin McGuinness has come under renewed pressure to scrap the controversial ‘11-plus’ examination system in Northern Ireland.
A committee report on the Review of the Post Primary education, which was discussed in the Assembly on Monday morning calls for an end to the current transfer test as soon as possible.
The debate comes just two days before the publication of the report of the Review Body on post Primary Education. This report is expected to recommend an end to the 11-plus system and the introduction of radical reform.
Speaking on Monday October 22, Committee Chairman Danny Kennedy said it was apparent that change of the existing system was necessary and appropriate.
SDLP spokesperson on education Patricia Lewsley said: “There is a compelling case for fundamental reform to procedures for transfer from primary to post-primary schooling. Furthermore, this entails fundamental reform to the structures and curricula at post-primary level itself. It is vital that in making the transition to a new system the highest possible standards and quality of education are maintained and developed.”
Martin McGuinness, who is Sinn Féin’s chief negotiator, was absent from the assembly debate as he was travelling to Washington to brief the US government on the current political situation.
Assembly speaker Lord Alderdice read out an apology from Mr McGuinness stating that because of “urgent party business” he could not be present in the chamber.
However, Eddie McGrady (SDLP, South Down) stressed the importance of the report on post primary education: “It is an insult to this Assembly that the minister responsible is not going to be in attendance to answer the fine points of debate and to have exchange with the members of this house.”
But John Kelly (Sinn Fein, Mid Ulster), defending his party colleague’s absence from the House, said that Mr McGuinness was on very important business: “Surely the minister’s absence is not for any frivolous reason and if the minister were not absent on the business he is absent on, surely these members would be criticising him for not doing all he can to ensure the survival of this very Assembly.” (AMcE)
A committee report on the Review of the Post Primary education, which was discussed in the Assembly on Monday morning calls for an end to the current transfer test as soon as possible.
The debate comes just two days before the publication of the report of the Review Body on post Primary Education. This report is expected to recommend an end to the 11-plus system and the introduction of radical reform.
Speaking on Monday October 22, Committee Chairman Danny Kennedy said it was apparent that change of the existing system was necessary and appropriate.
SDLP spokesperson on education Patricia Lewsley said: “There is a compelling case for fundamental reform to procedures for transfer from primary to post-primary schooling. Furthermore, this entails fundamental reform to the structures and curricula at post-primary level itself. It is vital that in making the transition to a new system the highest possible standards and quality of education are maintained and developed.”
Martin McGuinness, who is Sinn Féin’s chief negotiator, was absent from the assembly debate as he was travelling to Washington to brief the US government on the current political situation.
Assembly speaker Lord Alderdice read out an apology from Mr McGuinness stating that because of “urgent party business” he could not be present in the chamber.
However, Eddie McGrady (SDLP, South Down) stressed the importance of the report on post primary education: “It is an insult to this Assembly that the minister responsible is not going to be in attendance to answer the fine points of debate and to have exchange with the members of this house.”
But John Kelly (Sinn Fein, Mid Ulster), defending his party colleague’s absence from the House, said that Mr McGuinness was on very important business: “Surely the minister’s absence is not for any frivolous reason and if the minister were not absent on the business he is absent on, surely these members would be criticising him for not doing all he can to ensure the survival of this very Assembly.” (AMcE)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.